The abrupt cancellation of Mountain Brew Fest this past week is evidence that the growth of the craft brewing industry has outstripped the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission’s resources, those close to the industry say.

The story quotes Stacy Cox, agent in charge of the Asheville office of N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement, as saying that she’s not targeting craft breweries, and that she is eager to work with breweries on education and enforcement issues. The story also quotes Ward & Smith attorney Derek Allen, who represents several Western North Carolina craft brewers in Western North Carolina, as saying that “he perceives ‘renewed and heightened enforcement’ by ALE recently.”

The Hendersonville Times-News story quotes N.C. Rep. Chuck McGrady, a Henderson County Republican, as saying that he’s discussed the issue with N.C. Sen. Tom Apodaca, another Henderson County Republican and one of the most powerful politicians in the N.C. General Assembly:

While it’s too late in this legislative session to enact any reforms, McGrady said he’s discussed the situation with Sen. Tom Apodaca and plans to give the matter more attention between sessions.

“I think some good will come out of it,” McGrady said of the conflict. He plans to talk with agencies and breweries “to see if we can get some understanding.”

The Asheville nonprofit Food Connection is partnering with Wicked Weed Brewing and its Cultura restaurant, the YMCA of Western North Carolina, and Red Wing Enterprises for the event aimed at helping service industry workers.

One of the biggest immediate impacts has been the release of about 200 people from the Buncombe County jail, a long-sought after goal by some local officials who want to convert the county jail from a holding pen for low-level, nonviolent, poor suspects to a lockup reserved for serious offenders.